Alexis Pritchard, New Zealands last boxer at the London Olympics, bowed out in her lightweight quarter-final bout against Russian Sofya Ochigava today.
While Pritchard fought with spirit, she could not match the Russians power or speed and went down 22-4, losing each round decisively. She took a standing count in the third round.
Pritchard, 28, said she was nevertheless pleased with her performance.
She was pretty tough and we knew going in she was strong, she said.
But generally I felt I boxed better than yesterday [when she won her first-round bout]. I handled the nerves a lot better.
She said Ochigava had outboxed her.
I gave it my all and I learnt a few things. Next time Ill have to be quicker on my feet, and use my long arms. Also, it showed me its not a good idea to brawl with a shorter person.
One of Pritchards problems in London has been that because there are only three womens boxing divisions, she has had to fight in the 60kg lightweight division.
Ive gone up a couple of kilos here. She would have come down a couple. It doesnt sound a lot, but it makes a difference in terms of power and compactness.
This is the first year womens boxing has been held at the Olympic Games. Pritchard and Siona Fernandes, who lost yesterday, were New Zealands only two boxing representatives in London.
